Chief of Navy

Rear Admiral David Proctor

Rear Admiral David Proctor was born in Napier, New Zealand. He joined the Royal New Zealand Navy as a Midshipman in January 1987.

Rear Admiral Proctor has held a number of senior logistics posts during his career, including operational logistics appointments at sea and overseas. He has significant procurement and commercial experience working with industry to deliver support for military outcomes. His operational service includes deployment to the Solomon Islands and being deployed as the Chief of Logistics, United Nations Mission in Support of East Timor. He was also the New Zealand Senior National Officer during this deployment.

In a staff capacity, Rear Admiral Proctor’s early shore based appointments were primarily in the Human Resources arena. He was awarded the inaugural Deputy Chief of Navy Commendation for his performance as Deputy Director Naval Personnel Services. This role was responsible for drafting and oversighting the implementation of navy personnel policy and contributing to the development of NZDF strategic personnel policy. In 2000-01 he was the Acting Support Branch Personnel Officer responsible for delivering strategic human resource outcomes in the RNZN’s support branch, including posting and career management of ratings. Rear Admiral Proctor has recent staff experience in capability development and delivery, having been appointed as Deputy Assistant Chief of Capability and Director Capability Portfolio Planning in 2013-14.

Promoted to Commodore and appointed Commander Logistics in December 2015, in March 2017 he was posted at short notice as Chief of Defence Strategy and Governance. This appointment saw him as a member of the NZDF Executive and as a permanent advisor to the NZDF Board.

Rear Admiral Proctor assumed the role of Deputy Commander Joint Force New Zealand in February 2018, and then Chief of Navy in November 2018.

Rear Admiral Proctor has a Masters in Management (Defence Studies), a Masters in Politics and Policy, and is a fellow of the Centre for Defence Strategic Studies. He is a member of the Kapiti Branch of the RNZRSA and is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

David is married to Wendy Proctor. They have two children Joshua (in the RNZAF) and Emma (Otago University – Bachelor of Physical Education).